East Bengal vs Altyn Asyr: Will Anwar Ali debut in Torch Bearers’ AFC Champions League 2 preliminary match?

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East Bengal FC are starting their AFC Champions League 2 journey on Wednesday with a preliminary match against Altyn Asyr FC from Turkmenistan. Even with the match set to be held at home at the Salt Lake Stadium, fans are more eagerly waiting to see Anwar Ali in the red and gold jersey.

However, they will have to wait a little longer as it seems that Anwar will not be playing in the East Bengal vs Altyn Asyr match. After a lot of controversies, he was finally revealed as an East Bengal player on Tuesday evening. He was not present in the practice session that was held at the Salt Lake Stadium on Tuesday.

It's pretty clear that he will not be playing in Wednesday's game. He should be starting his training soon with the Torch Bearers' first team. However, it's hard to say when he will be able to take to the field in the East Bengal colors. It can only be known pending the decision from AIFF.

The committee from AIFF have already warned both Anwar and East Bengal. It should not be an issue for the Torch Bearers who have been quite busy during this summer transfer window. They have brought in some good names who have already shown their mettle in the first two matches in the Durand Cup.

East Bengal won both of their first two games of the Durand Cup 2024 against Indian Air Force FT and Downtown Heroes FC in Group A. They are still sitting in 2nd place in the group table with the same points but with less GD as their arch-rivals Mohun Bagan at the top of the table.

Before the table-top deciding match - the Kolkata derby - happens on August 18, East Bengal will play against Altyn Asyr on Wednesday and they will need to absolutely win this match to ensure progression into the group stage and to hold onto the confidence they will need before they take on the Mariners in their last Durand Cup group stage match.